Who will be looked upon in the dying minutes of a tie game? Who will be counted upon to provide leadership on the long road to a national title? Who will make the key pass? Score the big goal? Make the huge save?

International Scouting Services has selected three players from each of the eight teams competing in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., that it believes are players to watch at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Who made the list?

CANADA BLACK

OWEN LALONDE
smooth skater … “jack of all trades” defenceman … plays in all situations … good composure under pressure … handles the 2-on-1 well … good communication … covers for his partner

ADAM MCMASTER
crafty offensive player … incredibly smooth stride … breakaway speed … great hands … head is always up … competes hard … doesn’t shy away from traffic … creates separation well

TY SMITH
mobile defenceman … loves to jump into play offensively … elite skater … intelligent player … likes to quarterback face-offs … excellent away from the puck … very skilled

CANADA RED

TY DELLANDREA
conscientious two-way forward … excellent hockey sense … top-notch compete level … smooth skater with good speed … strong on his feet … good awareness of responsibilities

RYAN MERKLEY
gifted offensive player … elite skater … can take over games with offensive ability … explosive when carrying the puck … exceptional vision … good transition from offence to defence

CONNOR ROBERTS
skilled power forward … goal-scoring ability … competitive player … has shot, size and strength … loves to shoot from anywhere … work ethic stands out … finishes checks

CANADA WHITE

JARED MCISAAC
two-way defenceman … top-end talent … great mobility … high hockey IQ … quick and agile … can create offence from anywhere … stands up for his teammates … can play PP

OLIVIER RODRIGUE
good size … gifted with great technical ability … plays with poise … remains calm at all times … high-end recovery skills … reads the play well … aggressive on pass-outs

AKIL THOMAS
crafty offensive player … pro release … top-end puck skills … very good skater … great hands … not afraid to play in the hard areas … does not shy away from traffic … competes

CZECH REPUBLIC

TOMAS DAJCAR
plays with size … plays in all situations … hard, accurate point shot on PP … likes to pinch high in offensive zone … effective with the puck … can provide offence from blue-line

MICHAL KVASNICA
plays a 200-foot game … very good work ethic … good hockey sense … uses his body well to protect puck … skates well with the puck … strong along the boards … competes hard

ZACK MALIK
two-way defenceman … high hockey IQ … makes a good first pass … very mobile … plays in all situations … quick, active stick … anticipates and reads the play well … good bloodlines

FINLAND

MIKKO KOKKONEN
offensively-gifted defenceman … tremendous hockey IQ … excellent skating ability … calm, poised and confident with puck … very good PP quarterback … smart defensively

KALLE NURMI
moves well for his size … strong technically … goes side-to-side smoothly … good glove hand … battles for 60 minutes … directs rebounds to corner … challenges shooters

SAMUEL SALONEN
tremendous size … power forward … grinds along boards … can get to front of the net … hard wrist shot … defensively reliable … very good worth ethic … excels on the PK

RUSSIA

GRIGORI DENISENKO
two-way forward … provides leadership … sniper with quick release … creative offensive abilities … compete level off the charts … quick and evasive with puck … understands the game

ALEXANDER KHOVANOV
skilled centre … tremendous offensive instincts … high hockey IQ … always a threat to score … dynamic 1-on-1 ability … possess game-breaking speed and quickness … active stick

ANDREI SVECHNIKOV
can be a difference-maker … explosive offensive potential … absolute rifle of a shot … has a knack for finding prime offensive real estate … dangerous on the PP … plays at a high tempo

SWEDEN

ADAM BOKVIST
excellent hockey IQ … provides offence from blue-line … plays with confidence … skates well with the puck … excels on the PP … makes players around him better … good first pass

RASMUS DAHLIN
impact player … strong two-way game … tremendous hockey sense … very good puck-handler … dangerous in transition … heavy shot … plays with a physical edge … smooth skater

LUKAS WERNBLOM
very good vision … complete player … protects the puck well … plays well in traffic … is a playmaker … very good skater … tenacious offensive talent … loves to compete

UNITED STATES

JACOB PIVONKA
high-end skill … explosive skater … good offensive instincts … sees the ice very well … accurate shot … likes to go to the front of the net … competes defensively … is a playmaker

OLIVER WAHLSTROM
dynamic offensive player … excellent scoring and playmaking skills … patient with the puck … always a threat to score … has speed and quickness … will shoot from anywhere

BODE WILDE
tall, rangy defenceman … smooth skater … excellent acceleration … uses mobility to defend well in 1-on-1 situations … makes good decisions … can run a PP from point … great stick